A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 830 Published: 25 Sep 2017
APOLOGIES FOR THE DELAY
For reasons beyond my control - David
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 13
600AD-1517
MONASTICISM BECOMES RELIGIOUS
THE CATHARI
(c.12th-14th Cenuries)
In an opposite approach to the Monastics who tried to reform the Roman Catholic Church from within, the Cathari, or 'come-outers' (meaning 'pure'), led morally strict lifestyles in contrast to the political and moral corruption of the established church.
The general understanding of the Cathari has been negative, as all earlier written records were composed by their institutional opponents. More recently however, this view has started to change, for there has developed an understanding that their 'revolt' was similar to others who opposed the excesses of the establishment through the power of the Holy Spirit. For example, Scaff in ' Ante-Nicene Christianity, vol. 5 of History of the Christian Church' says.....
The exciting cause of this religious revolt is to be looked for in the worldliness and arrogance of the clergy, the formalism of the Church's ritual and worldly ambitions of the papal policy...The people wanted to get behind the clergy and ritual of sacraments to Christ himself.
They opposed many things, including the emphasis on church buildings as being of religious value. Shaff continues his critique......
God dwells not in houses made with hands. It is not the house of stone, but the good man and the good woman, and the community of such, that constitutes the Church. Prayer in the Church is no better than prayer in the closet.
THE CONSOLAMENTUM
In rejecting the highly developed ritualistic forms of the Church, the Cathari rejected both baptism and the Lords Supper, replacing them with the 'Consolamentum', a baptism of the Holy Spirit received by the laying on of hands. According to Augustus Neander, a nineteenth-century Lutheran scholar.....
By virtue of this imposition of hands, whoever submitted to it in a suitable frame of mind would be filled with gifts of the Holy Spirit and purified from all sin; he would be made capable thereby for the first time of rightly understanding the deep things of Scripture...This inward working of the divine Spirit stood to them in the place of sacraments.
The Cathari experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues. One woman is recorded as speaking in Armenian, a language she did not understand. She was accused as being under a wizard's spell. The Roman Catholic Church accused the Catharis of witchcraft for exercising the gifts of the Spirit, in an attempt to destroy the movement.
HERETICS OR HEROES?
The establishment considered the Cathari as heretics and burned them at the stake or branded them on the forehead in an unsuccessful attempt to eradicate them. As we have seen earlier, this reaction is consistent of opposition to Holy Spirit movements throughout history.
While many establishment scholars have considered them to be non-Christian, or at best, sub-Christian, John Foxe, the sixteenth-century author of the famous classic, ‘Foxe's Book of Martyrs’, judged them to be true Christians, in fact, forerunners of the Protestant Reformation.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Ten Lepers Healed (Luke 17:11-19)
But only one, a Samaritan, gave thanks.
“Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
The Samaritan returned.
“Where are the other nine? Didn’t anyone else come back to praise God—only this foreigner?”
“Get up and go on your way. Your trust has healed you.”
Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
Explaining persistent prayer to the disciples.
“Once there was a judge in this particular town who didn’t respect God or care about anyone,” “In the same town lived a widow who time and again went to the judge, saying, ‘Give me justice in the case against my enemy!’ For a while he didn’t want to do anything about it, but eventually he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t respect God or care about anyone, this widow is so annoying I’ll make sure she receives justice. Then she won’t wear me out by her coming to see me so often.’
“Listen to what even an unjust judge decided,” “Don’t you think that God will make sure his chosen people receive justice, those who cry out to him day and night? Do you think he will make them wait? No, I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. However, when the Son of man comes, will he find people on earth who trust in him?”
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. (Luke 18:9-14)
Spoken to some self righteous Pharisees.
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed to himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—cheats, criminals, adulterers— or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithe on my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Instead he beat his chest and prayed, ‘God, please be merciful to me. I am a sinner.’
“I tell you, it was this man who went home right in God’s sight and not the other. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
(Continued next week)
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OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Experience life here with us in Kenya.
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THE EYE CLINIC/HOSPITAL
At last - some progress!
A small start but the picture shows the view from the road entry as we set up the fence posts to designate the property as ours. If we don’t, the African way is sometimes to deny the hard fought sale never took place, in spite of the documentation!
Barbed wire too, I am afraid, is coming up this week.
To get the fence posts, we bought a tree. Had it cut down with a chainsaw and then cut again into 43 posts. Of course the wood in not treated, but used engine oil on the base provides protection for a number of years. The posts cost round $NZ2 (US1.40) each and $20 (US14) to install the lot.
You get tremendous value for money in Kenya. Monetary donations therefore, go a long way further here than in the West. You get great value for money – unless they see the white man coming and jack up the prices! We have had to learn ways of countering this.
So many lessons to learn, but at last, we can start to see progress!
MALARIA
The curse of the developing world – and of my body this week! From practical experience, I can now confirm it is a debilitating scourge!
First sign to me was the worst diarrhoea I have had in my life! Thought firstly, it was from food I had eaten while away at the Floricultural Fair. But when it didn’t start to ‘go’ after 2 days, I gave in and went to the doctor! I was hugely surprised when I received the diagnosis!
One medication stopped the runs straight away, and others dealt with the malaria itself. Getting it early is the key.
However I have had approaching a week now of being week, having to rest a lot, and feeling generally drained. Each day improves but activity remains somewhat limited.
We do take precautions, but naturally, they will be ramped up now. Malaria carrying mosquitoes make no noise and you don’t even know you have been bitten at the time. They are active in the early morning hours. Symptoms take 5 days to show. Preventative medication is not available for long term use. An ever present challenge of living here!
THE FLOWER FAIR
This was amazing! Did you know that the best roses in the world are grown here in Kenya? The head size is amazing! See the picture! The reason being, that they are grown at a high altitude, on Mt Kenya, where daytime temperatures are round 19c with night temperatures a cool 5c, all year, This means they grow slowly but command a big premium on the market.
Leading rose breeders live here too, and their displays were out of this world. As former Flower Wholesalers, and growers, even we were impressed! For the many rose lovers out there, go to our Facebook page AN EYE 4 Africa (and like) and see a slide show of what we experienced. BEEEAAAAUUUUTTTTTIFUL!
MY FIRST AFRICAN HAIRCUT
Over here, ‘No. 1’s’ are the haircut of choice. You can imagine the barbers delight when a white man came in for a trim! I am sure my still many hairs were cut off one by one in his care to give me the best haircut possible.
Eventually, it ended up as ‘short back and sides’, not my favourite, but it will do. A lot better for me than a No. 1, I can assure you!
Which do you prefer?
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
1241. The godly one keeps short accounts with both God and people, while seeking to do God's will with every fibre of their being.
1242. Godliness is not human perfection but the way of discipleship, lived by the blood of the Lamb, through the word of our testimony, and by 'dying' to self. (Revelation 12:11)
1243. Godliness is a partnership. God's offers the blood of Jesus and we are to offer our life in return.
1244. As worldliness goes, godliness grows.
1245. My desire is that God says about me, "David is a man after my own heart."
1246. Wisdom impresses the world, but godliness makes an impression on God's heart.
1247. The godly one has God's heart for others.
1248. God witnesses to others through His godliness as developed in us.
1248. God gives us many gifts. Godliness is the gift He most desires in return from us.
1249. To be 'good' is great, but being 'God' to others, is godly. The difference is 'o' for 'obedience'.
1250. 'Godliness' and 'self' are mutually exclusive.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF……. THE WAY OF HOLINESS THE WAY OF HOLINESS - PART 8 OF 9 - KING DAVID - A PICTURE OF HOLINESS
We'll find out how!
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
49. A Toothless Warning...
"Lead a righteous and spiritual life," admonished a minister to a young rascal he caught causing trouble, "for there will be weeping, wailing and a gnashing of teeth among the wicked who pass on to the next world."
"What if you haven't got any teeth?" said the boy.
"Teeth will be provided!"
QWIK QWIP: “I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.”
50. Could This Be True?
A British clergyman struggled along with a small congregation in a small neighbourhood. A commercial firm offered to supply free hymn books, provided they could insert a bit of discreet advertising into the hymnals. The pastor was reluctant but finally agreed. When the hymnals arrived, he eagerly examined them and was delighted to find no brash advertisements on or inside the covers.
The next Sunday, his flock began to sing from the hymnals. All went well until the third song, in which the congregation lifted their voices in unison to the melodious notes of:
Hark the herald angels sing,
Hanson's pills are just the thing;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
Two for men and one for child.
51. 'Fool'
A minister was opening his mail one morning. Drawing a single sheet of paper from an envelope he found written on it only one word: 'FOOL'.
The next Sunday he announced, "I have known many people who have written letters and forgot to sign their name.
"But this week I received a letter from someone who signed his name but forgot to write a letter."
A DAVID MUSING
I have been blessed with very good health throughout my life. Of course, I get sick from time to time, as we all do, but have always recovered well. Other than a persistent, 25 year old, seemingly ‘undiagnosible’ cough, which annoys my wife, but otherwise does not affect my life, life has been good to me health wise.
Coming to live in Africa, the most common health concern is malaria, something you cannot yet be immunized against. It is a hazard of life here, and as I have now personally experienced, is debilitating, to say the least.
I am recovering, but it takes both time and rest. I could be very holy and say that I spend the time reading the Bible and praying, but this would not be true! I have struggled to do this. I know the Lord is with me, for He has promised me healing. But I have been in a valley, something we all go through for various reasons, at times.
Should you be in your valley too, be encouraged, for ‘downs’ are a part of life and faith. We are not perfect. Doubt, frustration and unfairness come. Yet Jesus is there. He still cares about us, and for us. As His disciples, we remain in His hands, no matter what our circumstances, or how we feel about them. Jesus remains Lord!
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
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WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
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Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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